Long derided as messy and drying, bar soaps have been shunted to the back of the cabinet in favour of their liquid counterparts, with scented shower gels and oils taking centre stage in our bathing routines. However, there’s a certain inimitable charm in the utilitarian nature of bar soaps. Simple and understated, classic bar soaps take on a modular, ergonomic form, with their oval or rectangular shapes fitting perfectly in the palm of your hand. Unlike their bottled liquid counterparts which freely espouse the benefits of their contents on their bottles, the humble bar soap bears little in the way of branding, making do with an embossed or stamped logo and letting the formula do the talking.
While some of the best bar soaps are the ones of yesteryear, the category – like pretty much everything in the skincare and beauty industry – has undergone a seismic makeover over the past couple of years. With both centuries-old and contemporary bar soaps offering a more eco-friendly alternative to packaged liquid soaps, the bar soaps of today come laden with exfoliating and nourishing benefits, with options to suit every skin type. As with all other skincare products, bar soaps run the gamut from utilitarian to luxurious and everything in between.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your shower setup or introduce a more sustainably-minded product into your bathing routine, these are the best bar soaps on the market.
1. Orris La Déesse
Founded in Paris, Orris botanical soaps utilise botanical and apothecary-inspired ingredients, with formulas drawing from the rich wisdom of traditional herbalism, and ayurvedic and Japanese cleansing rituals. The Orris La Déesse soap tempers out a top floral -note of geranium with sharp, herbal camphor to create a seductive sensory balance. Meanwhile, Indian madder root and raw honey work to soften and nourish the skin.
2. Claus Porto Chypre Cedar Poinsettia
Hailing from Portugal, Claus Porto have been creating fragrances and sensorial body care products for well over a century. Coming in an aesthetically-pleasing delicate baby pink hue (and surrounded by the brand’s signature heritage packaging), the Claus Porto Chypre Cedar Poinsettia combines fruity, floral, and oriental notes like lychee, blackcurrant, cedarwood, jasmine, rose, and oak to create a nuanced chypre fragrance, while shea butter softens the skin. Who said bar soaps were basic?
3. Carbon Theory Facial Cleansing Bar
A more contemporary entry into the bar soap scene, the Carbon Theory Facial Cleansing Bar is specifically designed to prevent and alleviate breakouts. While it’s marketed as a face soap, it can be used on the body too. Charcoal and tea tree oil draw out bacteria and provide antiseptic benefits, respectively, while shea butter lends its moisturising properties and prevents the tea tree from drying skin out. With its sleek rectangular form and charcoal hue, it’s the perfect aesthetic addition to a monochromatic bathroom.
4. Dr. Bronner Castile Bar Soap Cherry Blossom
Made from vegetable oils, castile soap is at the heart of Dr. Bronner’s products and the Dr. Bronner Castile Bar Soap is no exception. Coming in an array of scents, the springtime scent of cherry blossom is our pick. Made with hemp and jojoba oils for moisture and forming a satisfying lather, this is a failsale sustainable option. Plus, as with all Dr. Bronner’s products, the packaging is somewhat endearing, with the earnest bid to “transcend unity across religious and ethnic divides or perish,” providing a welcome literary change to perusing the ingredients list on the back of the shampoo bottle.
5. Dove Beauty Cream Bar
Don’t scoff. While not the most expensive or luxurious (or even technically soap for that matter), there’s something inherently nostalgic and comforting about the Dove Beauty Cream Bar. Made with moisturiser and mild cleansers, the Dove Beauty Cream Bar cleanses without causing dryness as is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin. Plus, it just smells clean.
6. Aesop Body Cleansing Slab
A satisfyingly hefty addition to any shower, this bar soap (or ~body slab~) features the iconic herbal Aesop scent profile, with notes of bergamot, lime, and ylang ylang. Made with non-drying vegetable oils, it leaves skin feeling cleansed but not stripped.
7. Savon de Marseille Lavender Cube
Hailing from the home of bar soap, Savon de Marseille Crushed Lavender Cube is handmade using traditional techniques dating back to the time of Louis XIV. Completely natural and made with pure vegetable oils like olive oil, Savon de Marseille epitomises the best in luxury soapmaking. This cubed lavender iteration boasts a soothing scent that’s perfect for use before bed.
Words by T. Angel
